jiētì: 接替 - To Replace, To Take Over, To Succeed

• Keywords: 接替, jieti, jiētì, take over in Chinese, succeed a position Chinese, replace a person at work, Chinese word for successor, jieti meaning, jieti vs daiti, business Chinese vocabulary
• Summary: Learn how to use the Chinese verb 接替 (jiētì), which means to take over a position, replace someone in a role, or succeed in a duty. This guide explains its formal and professional usage in business, politics, and organizations, distinguishing it from similar words like `代替` and `替换`. Perfect for beginners wanting to understand the nuances of professional succession in a Chinese context.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiētì
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To succeed someone in a position or take over their duties.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 接替 (jiētì) as the formal “passing of the baton.” It's not just about replacing something; it's about one person officially stepping into another person's role or responsibilities. This is a planned, orderly transition, like a new CEO taking over from a retiring one, or a new teacher starting after the previous one leaves. The focus is on the continuity of the position.

• 接 (jiē): This character means “to receive,” “to connect,” or “to catch.” Imagine someone handing you something, and you reach out to receive it.
• 替 (tì): This character means “to replace” or “to substitute.” It implies taking the place of someone or something else.
• When combined, 接替 (jiētì) literally means “to receive and replace.” This captures the essence of the word perfectly: you are formally receiving a responsibility in order to replace the person who previously held it.

In Chinese culture, which often emphasizes stability, hierarchy, and continuity, 接替 (jiētì) is a significant concept. It represents an orderly and harmonious transfer of power or responsibility, which is highly valued in business and government. A smooth 接替 process shows that an organization is well-managed and its future is secure. This can be contrasted with the more “disruptive” narrative sometimes celebrated in Western business culture, where a new leader might come in to “shake things up.” While that can also happen in China, the term 接替 (jiētì) itself implies a smooth continuation of duties. It's less about a hostile takeover and more about a planned succession. The act of handing over duties, called 交接 (jiāojiē), is often a formal process, ensuring the new person is fully equipped to continue the work without interruption.

接替 (jiētì) is almost exclusively used in formal or professional contexts. You will hear it frequently in the news, in corporate announcements, and in discussions about official positions.

• Business & Corporate: Used when a new manager, director, or CEO is appointed. It emphasizes the professional nature of the transition.
• Government & Politics: The standard term for when one official takes over from another, from a local bureaucrat to the national leader.
• Organizations & Teams: Can be used for roles like a team captain, a club president, or the head of a department.

It carries a neutral and official connotation. It is considered a formal word; you would not use it for casual situations like taking over a chore from a family member. For that, a simple phrase like `我来吧 (wǒ lái ba - Let me do it)` is more appropriate.

• Example 1:
  • 王经理下个月退休，公司还没决定谁来接替他。
  • Pinyin: Wáng jīnglǐ xià ge yuè tuìxiū, gōngsī hái méi juédìng shéi lái jiētì tā.
  • English: Manager Wang is retiring next month, and the company hasn't decided who will succeed him yet.
  • Analysis: This is a classic business scenario. The sentence is about finding a successor for a formal position.
• Example 2:
  • 李老师要回国了，一位新的老师将接替她的工作。
  • Pinyin: Lǐ lǎoshī yào huíguó le, yí wèi xīn de lǎoshī jiāng jiētì tā de gōngzuò.
  • English: Teacher Li is returning to her country, and a new teacher will take over her job.
  • Analysis: Here, `接替她的工作` (take over her work) is a very common and natural phrasing.
• Example 3:
  • 新任首相将于下周正式接替现任首相的职务。
  • Pinyin: Xīnrèn shǒuxiàng jiāng yú xiàzhōu zhèngshì jiētì xiànrèn shǒuxiàng de zhíwù.
  • English: The new prime minister will officially take over the duties of the current prime minister next week.
  • Analysis: This shows the word's use in a high-level political and formal context. `职务 (zhíwù)` means duties or post.
• Example 4:
  • 在球队里，年轻的前锋被选为接替老队长的人选。
  • Pinyin: Zài qiúduì lǐ, niánqīng de qiánfēng bèi xuǎn wéi jiētì lǎo duìzhǎng de rénxuǎn.
  • English: In the team, the young forward was chosen as the candidate to succeed the old captain.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates its use in a non-corporate but still formal role-based context like sports. `人选 (rénxuǎn)` means candidate.
• Example 5:
  • 没人能接替他在我们心中的位置。
  • Pinyin: Méi rén néng jiētì tā zài wǒmen xīnzhōng de wèizhì.
  • English: No one can replace his position in our hearts.
  • Analysis: This is a more figurative and emotional use of the word, but it still relates to filling a “position” or “role,” albeit a metaphorical one.
• Example 6:
  • 董事会一致同意由副总裁接替CEO的职位。
  • Pinyin: Dǒngshìhuì yízhì tóngyì yóu fù zǒngcái jiētì CEO de zhíwèi.
  • English: The board of directors unanimously agreed that the vice president would take over the CEO's position.
  • Analysis: `由 (yóu)` is used here to indicate who is performing the action, a common structure with 接替.
• Example 7:
  • 他能力不足，恐怕无法接替这么重要的工作。
  • Pinyin: Tā nénglì bùzú, kǒngpà wúfǎ jiētì zhème zhòngyào de gōngzuò.
  • English: His abilities are insufficient; I'm afraid he is unable to take over such an important job.
  • Analysis: Shows a negative assessment of someone's capability for succession.
• Example 8:
  • 父亲希望儿子能接替他的家族企业。
  • Pinyin: Fùqīn xīwàng érzi néng jiētì tā de jiāzú qǐyè.
  • English: The father hopes his son can take over his family business.
  • Analysis: This applies the concept to a family context, but the “position” is still a formal one (head of the business).
• Example 9:
  • 你准备好接替这个项目了吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zhǔnbèi hǎo jiētì zhège xiàngmù le ma?
  • English: Are you ready to take over this project?
  • Analysis: Can be used for large-scale responsibilities like a project, not just a job title.
• Example 10:
  • 公司正在寻找合适的人来接替销售总监一职。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī zhèngzài xúnzhǎo héshì de rén lái jiētì xiāoshòu zǒngjiān yī zhí.
  • English: The company is currently looking for a suitable person to succeed the sales director position.
  • Analysis: `一职 (yī zhí)` is a formal way to say “the position of.”

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 接替 (jiētì) with 代替 (dàitì) and 替换 (tìhuàn). They all involve “replacing,” but the context is key.

• 接替 (jiētì): Succeeding a person in a role/position. Focus is on the transfer of responsibility.
  • `他来接替我的职位。` (He is coming to take over my position.) - Correct.
• 代替 (dàitì): Substituting for someone/something, often temporarily. Focus is on acting on behalf of another.
  • `我今天生病了，你能代替我去开会吗？` (I'm sick today, can you go to the meeting for me?)
  • You would NOT say `你能接替我去开会吗？` because you are not permanently taking over the “position” of meeting-goer.
• 替换 (tìhuàn): Replacing an object with another. Focus is on swapping something out, usually because it's old, broken, or needs to be changed. Can be used for people but implies they are interchangeable parts (like players in a game).
  • `我需要替换这个旧灯泡。` (I need to replace this old lightbulb.)
  • Incorrect: `我需要接替这个旧灯泡。` - This is wrong because a lightbulb doesn't have a formal role or responsibility.

• 代替 (dàitì) - To substitute or act on behalf of, often temporarily.
• 替换 (tìhuàn) - To replace an object (or person as an interchangeable part) with another.
• 继承 (jìchéng) - To inherit (property, a title, a legacy). More focused on legal or familial lineage.
• 接班 (jiēbān) - Very similar to `接替`, but with a nuance of “taking over a shift” or succeeding a senior/mentor. Has roots in socialist work culture.
• 继任 (jìrèn) - (v./n.) To succeed in a post; a successor. Very formal, often used in official titles.
• 交接 (jiāojiē) - The act of handing over/transitioning duties. This is the process that happens during a `接替`.
• 职位 (zhíwèi) - Position, post. The thing that is being taken over.
• 退休 (tuìxiū) - To retire. A common reason why a successor is needed.
• 辞职 (cízhí) - To resign. Another common reason for a `接替` to occur.